Olympics Rio 2016: Simone Biles slips on beam, escapes with bronze

The Netherland’s Sanne Wevers claimed gold with a score of 15.466, with Biles’ American team-mate Laurie Hernandez taking silver with 15.333. Biles’ flawed routine still amassed 14.733 points.

Biles, who has already won all-around, vault and team gold, goes in the floor final on Tuesday.

Biles, a double world champion on the beam, was rock solid as she spun around 900 degrees on her right toes. There was not a wobble in sight as she executed her backflip into two layouts.

With the gold medal in her sights, she soared high into a front somersault but then it all went horribly wrong as her right foot missed its target on the beam and a routine that had been spellbinding till that moment lost its sparkle.

After completing her dismount, her frustration was clear for all to see as the megawatt smile that had lit up the Rio Olympic Arena time and again over the past week failed to materialise.

The judges pondered over her score for several minutes and when it was confirmed, Biles rolled her eyes skywards as the mark was almost a point lower than her qualifying effort of 15.633.

Elsewhere, Greek muscle man Eleftherios Petrounias showed off his superior power in the strongman's event as he edged out local favourite and 2012 champion Arthur Zanetti to win the rings gold medal.